Kyle Pitts Injury Update: Falcons 'Very Encouraged' by Training Camp Progress
FLOWERY BRANCH -- Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts fired off the line, jabbed right, and gave safety Jaylinn Hawkins a quick shake at the top of his route before bolting left.
Pitts exited his break with multiple yards of separation between he and Hawkins, presenting a welcoming target to quarterback Desmond Ridder.
The pass ultimately fell incomplete, with Ridder throwing behind Pitts to the extent that the 6-6, 245-pounder with an 83-inch wingspan couldn't haul it in, though the ball did hit his hands.
And in a sense, this rep perhaps best epitomizes where Pitts stands in his recovery from the torn MCL he suffered in Week 11 that cost him the remainder of last season and all of this spring - close, promising, but not fully there ... yet, especially in regard to his chemistry with Ridder.
This, however, isn't a huge concern for Pitts nor Ridder; the duo worked out together over the summer but are now facing the adjustment process of facing real defenders and dialing in timing, which Pitts described as a "slow drip."
Another important aspect of their relationship is that Smith is just as unconcerned as they are, in large part because he's cognizant that there's still well over a month before the regular season kicks off.
Instead, the focus for Smith is on Pitts' health; Monday was his first day in pads and participating in 11-on-11s since suffering the knee injury, and Atlanta's third-year boss has stressed that he's "very pleased" with where Pitts is at, adding that he's doing more each day and trending in a positive direction.
"We'll just do a little bit more every day," Smith emphasized Tuesday. "I think he's on the right path and we'll assess. We do that on a daily basis. [I'm] very, very encouraged."
And really, consistent steps towards a return to full health is the most pressing topic at hand as it relates to Pitts; the Falcons are trying to manage his rep count, which Smith noted they have to do with guys at different points in their careers after battling various injuries.
Thus far, Smith is confident in what he's seen from Pitts - and for good reason. On Tuesday, the 22-year-old once again created separation in one-on-ones, besting star safety Jessie Bates III on a curl and showing the deceleration and athleticism that helped make him the dangerous weapon that Smith and the Falcons have grown to expect in the past two years.
And while the early on-field returns are still being worked out, Smith feels Pitts is exactly where he should be at this stage in his recovery - and is now facing another step in the process as preseason nears.
"It's all encouraging," Smith said. "With Kyle, obviously, our return to play plan’s been on track. We're going to get to the point where we're talking about preseason snaps and stuff like that: Who needs to play? Why do they need to play? And how many? That'll come to light too in the next couple of weeks."
The Falcons kick off the preseason on Aug. 11 on the road against the Miami Dolphins, and it seems as if Pitts' status for that game is still to be determined.
But one thing's for certain - Atlanta's confident that Pitts will be himself come Week 1 ... and if his early success creating separation is any indication, it's only a matter of time until he and Ridder are turning those incompletions into big gains and explosive plays.
And that, by all accounts, is a strong reason to be "very encouraged" as training camp rolls onward.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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